Belle Isle

Ownership

Neighborhood

Description

The Belle Isle site is located on the west side of Belle Isle Inlet, just north of Logan Airport and across the inlet from Winthrop. This small, coastal site is a City-owned in-holding located within the state-owned Belle Isle March Reservation. The reservation is the largest remaining, in-tact salt marsh system in Boston. Historically used by a sport-fishing club, the site was acquired by the City for tax foreclosure in 1990. Chronic dumping and nearby industrial operations had seriously degraded the site's ecological integrity, recreational value, and aesthetics. However, the City recently completed a state-mandated soil remediation program at this site in 2005.

The Urban Wilds Initiative seized upon this opportunity to restore the site back to its original condition as a salt marsh and coastal bank. Contaminated soil was removed from the site and the area was graded to allow restored tidal flows and the establishment of native salt marsh vegetation. This project has dramatically improved site ecology, providing about 1.3 acres of intertidal habitat for fish, shellfish, and birds. In addition, the project has improved coastal access for residents by providing a pedestrian pathway. This pathway link between the DCR reservation and Saratoga Street will form a portion of the East Boston Greenway extension in this area.

Condor Street Overlook

Ownership

Boston Conservation Commission

Neighborhood

Description

This is a fan-shaped parcel of inter-tidal land at the intersection of Border Street and Condor Street, between the Mobil Station and the Shore Plaza apartments. Though it is underwater for significant periods and there is no direct access, this site provides sweeping views of the inner harbor, looking toward the Tobin Bridge and Mystic River. If privately owned, buildings would have been constructed here blocking the view, as has occurred on the adjacent parcels. Inter-tidal habitat is widely regarded as an extremely valuable natural resource. These areas are home to many species of shellfish, other invertebrates, and juvenile fish. They also play important roles in flood control and water quality improvement.

Condor Street

Ownership

Boston Conservation Commission

Neighborhood

Description

The Condor Street Urban Wild, located on the corner of Condor and Glendon Street, borders the Chelsea Creek, a busy navigational channel in East Boston that is predominantly characterized by industrial uses. During 20 years of City-ownerhsip, the site had previously not been publicly accessible and had devolved into a blighted dumping ground. However, like the Belle Isle Urban Wild, this site has over the last few years been subject to a state-mandated soil remediation project. Through this project, The Urban Wilds Initiative transformed this urban brownfield into a publicly-accessible natural area. With construction completed in fall 2003, the restored site now features walking paths, a boardwalk and viewing platform overlooking the Chelsea River, a salt marsh, meadow grasses, and other coastal habitat elements. There are plans for interpretive displays highlighting the ecology and history of the Chelsea River that will be designed and incorporated into this site.

Rockies

Ownership

Neighborhood

Description

The Rockies Urban Wild is located along Marginal Street across from Piers Park in the Jefferies Point neighborhood. This natural area consists of an orchard and expansive meadow that breaks up the dense residential character of the neighborhood. It is one of the largest undeveloped spaces in this part of East Boston and provides some of the only remaining upland wildlife habitat in the area. The grassland and adjacent shrubby thicket are particularly attractive to migrating songbirds and butterflies. The entire site, including the orchard, is currently undergoing a phased restoration.